Sports equipment with wound fiber

ABSTRACT

A golf club shaft includes: a butt end; a tip end, where the golf club shaft is tapered between the butt end and the tip end; coils of fiber wound helically relative to an axis of the golf club shaft; and one or more layers of composite material wrapped around the coils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils of fiber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/979,093, filed on Feb. 20, 2020. The entire disclosure of theapplication referenced above is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to sporting equipment and moreparticularly to composite sports equipment and more particularly tocomposite sports equipment having fiber wound around a tubular member.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided here is for the purpose of generallypresenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently namedinventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, aswell as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify asprior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedlyadmitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Various different types of equipment are used in various differentsports. For example, golf clubs are used to strike golf balls in golf.Golf clubs include a golf shaft, a grip, and a club head. The golf shafthas a butt end and a tip end. The club head attached to the tip end ofthe golf shaft. The grip is attached to the butt end of the golf shaft.

Other types of sports equipment also includes shafts. For example,lacrosse sticks include a shaft and a head that is attached to theshaft. Hockey sticks also include a shaft. A blade is attached to theshaft of a hockey stick.

SUMMARY

In a feature, a golf club shaft includes: a butt end; a tip end, wherethe golf club shaft is tapered between the butt end and the tip end;coils of fiber wound helically relative to an axis of the golf clubshaft; and one or more layers of composite material wrapped around thecoils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils of fiber.

In further features, the golf club shaft further includes a second oneor more layers of composite material, where the coils of fiber are woundhelically around the second one or more layers of composite material,and the second one or more layers of composite material are disposedradially inwardly of the coils of fiber.

In further features, at least one of the one or more layers of compositematerial include graphite, an epoxy, and a resin.

In further features, a diameter of the fiber is less than 15 microns.

In further features, the golf club shaft includes at least five thousandof the coils of fiber wound helically relative to the axis of the golfclub shaft.

In further features, each of the coils is disposed approximatelyperpendicular to the axis.

In further features, each of the coils is disposed approximatelyparallel to the axis.

In further features, each of the coils is disposed at an angle ofbetween 1 degree and 89 degrees relative to the axis.

In further features, the fiber is coated with a resin.

In further features, the fiber has a circular cross-section.

In further features, the fiber is selected from a group consisting ofsteel, titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten, and an alloy of one ofsteel, titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten.

In further features, adjacent ones of the coils contact each other.

In further features, the golf club shaft is hollow inside of the coilsof fiber.

In a feature, a tubular portion of one of a hockey stick, a lacrossestick, and a baseball bat is described. The tubular portion includes:one or more layers of composite material; and coils of fiber woundhelically relative to an axis of the tubular portion, where one of: theone or more layers of composite material are wrapped around the coils offiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils of fiber; and thecoils of fiber are wrapped around the one or more layers of compositematerial and disposed radially outwardly of the one or more layers ofcomposite material.

In further features, the one or more layers of composite material arewrapped around the coils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of thecoils of fiber, and the tubular portion further includes a second one ormore layers of composite material, wherein the coils of fiber are woundhelically around the second one or more layers of composite material,and the second one or more layers of composite material are disposedradially inwardly of the coils of fiber.

In further features, the coils of fiber are wrapped around the one ormore layers of composite material and disposed radially outwardly of theone or more layers of composite material.

In further features, at least one of the one or more layers of compositematerial include graphite, an epoxy, and a resin.

In further features, the fiber is selected from a group consisting ofsteel, titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten, and an alloy of one ofsteel, titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten.

In further features, the fiber has a circular cross-section with adiameter of less than 15 microns.

In a feature, a method of forming tubular sports equipment includes:winding coils of fiber helically around a tubular member; and wrappingone or more layers of composite material around the coils of fiber suchthat the one or more layers of composite material are disposed radiallyoutwardly of the coils of fiber.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description, the claims and the drawings. Thedetailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 includes an example view including two pieces of (uncured)composite material and a mandrel used to manufacture sports equipment;

FIG. 2A includes a cross-sectional view of composite material;

FIG. 2B includes a cross-sectional view of composite material;

FIG. 3 includes an example perspective view of a mandrel placed on topof composite material;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the composite materialwrapped around the mandrel;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of fiber wound (coiled) around thecomposite material;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fiber is wound (coiled) around thecomposite material;

FIGS. 7-9 include perspective views of fiber wound around portions ofthe composite material;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view including an example of the fiber 504wound around the composite material placed on top of composite material;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the compositematerial wrapped around the fiber;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of thecomposite material wrapped around the fiber;

FIGS. 13 and 14 include example views of composite material including acut out;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber being wound around themandrel and located radially inwardly of composite material;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an example hockey stick including thefiber;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an example lacrosse stick including thefiber;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an example baseball bat including thefiber;

FIG. 19 includes an example method of manufacturing a piece of sportingequipment;

FIG. 20 includes an example method of manufacturing a piece of sportingequipment;

FIGS. 21 and 22 include different example orientations of fiberwindings;

FIG. 23 includes a cross-sectional view of an example handle portion ofa tubular portion, such as of a lacrosse stick;

FIG. 24 includes a cross-sectional view of an example handle portion ofa tubular portion, such as of a hockey stick;

FIG. 25 includes a cross-sectional view of an example handle portion ofa tubular portion, such as of a lacrosse stick;

FIG. 26 includes a cross-sectional view of an example handle portion ofa tubular portion, such as of a hockey stick;

FIGS. 27 and 28 include cross-sectional views of an example handleportion of a tubular portion, such as of a lacrosse stick;

FIGS. 29 and 30 includes cross-sectional views of an example bladeportion of a tubular portion, such as of a hockey stick; and

FIG. 31 includes a cross-sectional view of an example implementation ofmultiple layers of wound fiber.

In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify similarand/or identical elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 includes an example view including two pieces of (uncured)composite material 100 and 102 and a mandrel 104 used to manufacturesports equipment, such as a golf club shaft. Each piece of the compositematerial 100 and 102 includes one or more layers of the compositematerial. The composite material may also include a resin that can laterbe cured.

FIG. 2A includes a cross-sectional view of the composite material 100.The composite material 100 includes at least one layer 204 of thecomposite material. The composite material 100 may include one or moreadditional layers of the composite material, such as layers 208, 212,216, 220, and 224. While the example of six layers is provided, thecomposite material 100 may have one layer or more than one layer of thecomposite material.

FIG. 2B includes a cross-sectional view of the composite material 102.The composite material 102 includes at least one layer 240 of thecomposite material. The composite material 102 may include one or moreadditional layers of the composite material, such as layers 244, 248,252, 256, and 260. While the example of six layers is provided, thecomposite material 102 may have one layer or more than one layer of thecomposite material.

Each of the layers of the composite material 100 and 102 includes fibersof the composite material, an epoxy, and a resin. For example, each ofthe layers may include graphite fibers, an epoxy, and a resin. While theexample of graphite is provided, another suitable aramid may be used.Directions of the fibers of the composite material of one layer may bedifferent than the directions of the fibers of the composite material ofadjacent layers. For example, the fibers of the composite material ofthe layer 204 may be arranged in a first direction, the fibers of thecomposite material of the layer 208 may be arranged in a seconddirection that is different than the first direction, and the fibers ofthe composite material of the layer 212 may be arranged in a thirddirection that is different than the second direction, and so on. Thefibers of the composite material of the layer 240 may be arranged in afourth direction, the fibers of the composite material of the layer 244may be arranged in a fifth direction that is different than the fourthdirection, and the fibers of the composite material of the layer 248 maybe arranged in a sixth direction that is different than the fifthdirection, and so on. The directions of the fibers may be selected, forexample, such that the shaft has target structural (e.g., torsional,bending, stiffness, etc.) characteristics. The fourth direction may alsobe different than the third direction.

The mandrel 104 may be solid (e.g., metal) or hollow and be tubular. Themandrel 104 may be, for example, frustoconical or conical (e.g., in theexample of the shaft being a golf shaft). While the example of a mandrelhaving a circular cross-section is provided, the present application isalso applicable to mandrels having cross-sections of other shapes, suchas mandrels and sports shafts having a cross-section of a rectangle, asquare, a triangle, a hexagon, an octagon, a pentagon, a heptagon, anoval, etc. The sports shaft may have one or more rounded sections invarious implementations. In various implementations, the compositematerial 100 may extend past ends of the mandrel 104.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the mandrel 104 is placed on top of the compositematerial 100. The composite material 100 is wrapped (rolled) around themandrel 104. FIG. 4 illustrates the composite material 100 wrappedaround the mandrel 104. Once the composite material 100 is wrappedaround the mandrel 104, the composite material 100 and the mandrel 104may be pressed and rolled, for example, using a platen (heat) press. Thecomposite material 100 may also be heated using the platen press or inanother suitable manner. The heating and/or application of pressure mayat least partially cure the composite material 100 and may completelycure the composite material.

As shown in FIG. 5 , a fiber 504 is wound (coiled) around the compositematerial 100. The fiber 504 may be a continuous length of fiber havingat least a predetermined length after being wound around the compositematerial 100. The predetermined length may be, for example, at least 25miles, at least 35 miles, at least 40 miles, at least 45 miles, at least50 miles, or at least 55 miles.

The fiber 504 may include, for example, steel, titanium, aluminum,copper, tungsten, an alloy of the above, an aramid, or another suitablematerial. The fiber 504 may have a round cross-section or anothersuitable shape of cross-section, such as square, ovular, or anothersuitable shape. The diameter of the fiber 504 is less than 15 microns,may be less than 12 microns, may be less than 10 microns, and may be,for example, approximately 8 microns. The fiber 504 is wound completelyaround (360 degrees) at least a predetermined number of times, such as5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, or more. The fiber 504 may becoated with a resin, such as for later curing. For example, the fiber504 may be fed through a bath of liquid resin prior to the wrappingdescribed herein.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along A of FIG. 5 . The windingof the fiber 504 around the composite material 100 creates a layer ofthe fiber 504 around the composite material 100. Features of thedrawings may not be to scale. The fiber 504 may improve one or morestructural characteristics of the sports shaft, such as stiffness, flex,weight, moment of inertial (MOI), torsion, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the fiber 504 may be wound around the entire lengthof the composite material 100. Alternatively, the fiber 504 may be woundaround only one or more portions of the composite material 100. This maymodify local structural characteristics, such as flex, weight, torsion,etc. at the location(s) of the fiber 504.

FIGS. 7-9 include example perspective views where the fiber 504 is woundaround less than all of the composite material 100. For example, FIG. 7is an example where the fiber 504 is wound only around a middle portionof between a butt end and a tip end. FIG. 8 illustrates an example wherethe fiber 504 is wound only around near the butt end and the tip end(not in the middle portion). FIG. 9 is an example where the fiber 504 iswound around the middle portion, the butt end, and the tip end, but withlocations without fiber between each section.

Once the fiber 504 is wound around the composite material 100, themandrel 104 (covered with the composite material 100 and the fiber 504)is placed on top of the composite material 102, such as shown in FIG. 10. The composite material 102 is wrapped (rolled) around the mandrel 104.FIG. 11 illustrates the composite material 102 wrapped around the fiber504 and the composite material 100.

Once the composite material 102 is wrapped around the fiber 504 and thecomposite material 100, the composite material 102, the fiber 504, thecomposite material 100, and the mandrel 104 may be pressed and rolled,for example, using the platen (heat) press. The composite material 102may also be heated using the platen press or in another suitable manner.The heating and/or application of pressure may completely cure the resinof the fiber 504 and/or the composite material 102 and may cure thecomposite material 100 if not already completely cured.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along A of FIG. 11 . As shown inFIG. 11 , the composite material 102 covers the fiber 504 and thecomposite material 100. Example thicknesses of the composite material100, the fiber 504, and the composite material 102 are shown in FIG. 12. Other suitable thicknesses may be used, for example, by the compositematerial 100 and/or the composite material 102 including differentnumbers of layers.

In various implementations, the composite material 102 may include onlyone layer of the composite material. In various implementations, thecomposite material 100 may be omitted. In such implementations, thefiber 504 may be wound directly around the mandrel 104, and thecomposite material 102 may be applied around the fiber 504.

As shown in FIG. 13 , a portion of (e.g., an interior of) the compositematerial 102 may be cut away as to form one or more apertures throughthe composite material 102. In other words, one or more apertures may beformed through the composite material 102. For example, the example ofFIG. 13 illustrates a cut out 1304 of the composite material 102. Otherthings can be cut out of the composite material 102, such as words,letters, logos (trademarked or non-trademarked), images, patterns, etc.In various implementations, a cutting device (e.g., a computer numericalcontrol (CNC) cutting machine, such as a CNC router) may cut out thecomposite material 102 in response to user input indicative of one ormore items to cut out of the composite material 102. The aperture(s) maybe located where the fiber 504 is wound around the composite material100 such that the fiber 504 is visible through the apertures, such asshown in the example of FIG. 14 .

The composite material 102 and the aperture(s) may improve one or morestructural (e.g., torsional, bending, weight, etc.) characteristics ofthe sports equipment. The composite material 102 and the aperture(s) mayadditionally or alternatively improve one or more aestheticcharacteristics of the sports equipment.

After the composite material 102 is cured, the mandrel 104 can beremoved. The sports equipment (e.g., golf shaft) may be trimmed to atarget length after the curing. One or more layers of paint may beapplied over the composite material 102 after curing. The paint may be aclear paint or a translucent paint to maintain the visibility of thecomposite material 102 or the fiber 504 through the aperture(s) in thecomposite material 102.

While the fiber 504 is shown as being between the composite material 100and the composite material 102, the fiber 504 could alternatively bewound around the mandrel 104 and located radially inwardly of thecomposite material 100. A cross-sectional view of such an arrangement isprovided in the example of FIG. 15 . While the example of the inclusionof the composite material 100 is provided, the composite material 100may be omitted.

As stated above, the sports equipment could be a golf club shaft, wherea golf club head is attached to the tip end of the golf club shaft, anda golf grip is attached to the butt end of the golf club shaft. Thefiber 504 could be included in other types of sports equipment, however.

For example, FIG. 16 includes an example illustration including a hockeystick 10 including the fiber 504. The hockey stick 10 includes a handleportion 12 (i.e., shaft), which a player 14 holds, and a blade portion16 (i.e., blade), which is used for controlling a hockey puck 18 or aball. The hockey stick 10 can be adapted for any position on a hockeyteam, including that of a goalie. In other words, the hockey stick 10may be a goalkeeper hockey stick or a hockey stick configured to be usedby other positions in hockey. While the example of an ice hockey stickwill be provided, the present application is also applicable fieldhockey sticks, roller hockey sticks, and other types of sportsequipment.

The handle portion 12 can be elongated and longitudinally straight. Insome embodiments, the handle portion 12 can include a hollow core thatis embedded and wrapped within a covering (e.g., composite material withcarbon fibers). The fiber 504 may be, for example, an inner layer of thehandle portion 12 (e.g., similar to the example of FIG. 15 ) or betweenlayers of composite material of the handle portion 12 (e.g., similar tothe example of FIG. 12 ).

Cross sectional views of an example of the handle portion 12 areprovided in FIGS. 24 and 26 . As shown in FIG. 26 , one or more cornersof may be rounded. As discussed above, in various implementations, thefiber 504 may be located radially inwardly of the composite material100, or the composite material 100 may be omitted. In variousimplementations, the fiber 504 may be wound around the compositematerial 100, and the composite material 102 may be omitted. In thisimplementation, the fiber 504 may be visible on an exterior of handleportion 12. While example shapes of the handle portion 12 are providedin FIG. 26 , the present application is also applicable to other shapesof handle portions.

Referring back to FIG. 16 , the handle portion 12 includes a bladeconnecting end 13. The blade portion 16 is fixed to the blade connectingend 13 of the handle portion 12. The blade portion 16 can be fixed tothe blade connecting end 13 in any suitable manner. The handle portion12 and the blade portion 16 can be manufactured separately andsubsequently attached together. Alternatively, the handle portion 12 andthe blade portion 16 may be manufactured together.

The blade portion 16 generally includes a front face 20, which can beused for receiving and moving the hockey puck 18 (e.g., passing,shooting, etc.), and a rear face 22, which can also be used forreceiving and moving the hockey puck 18. The blade portion 16 alsoincludes a first end 28 that is connected to the blade connecting end 13of the handle portion 12. The blade portion 16 also includes a secondend 30 that is opposite to the first end 28.

The blade portion 16 also includes an upper edge 24 and a lower edge 26that is opposite the upper edge 24. The upper edge 24 is typicallyspaced away from a playing surface (e.g., ice). The lower edge 26 maycontact the playing surface.

Both the upper and lower edges 24 and 26 extend between the first andsecond ends 28 and 30 of the blade portion 16. The upper and lower edges24 and 26 and the front and rear faces 20 and 22 can have a curvaturebetween the first and second ends 28 and 30 such that the front face 20is concave while the rear face 22 is convex.

FIGS. 29 and 30 include cross-sectional views of an example of the bladeportion 16. The blade portion 16 may include a covering 2904 that iswrapped around one or more core members 2908. The covering 2904 includesone or more layers of composite material, similar to the golf club shaftdescribed above (e.g., 102). The fiber 504 may be, for example, an innerlayer of the blade portion 16 (e.g., similar to the example of FIG. 15 )or between layers of composite material of the blade portion 16 (e.g.,similar to the example of FIG. 12 ). For example, FIG. 29 illustratesthe fiber 504 being wound around the core member(s) 2908, and thecovering including one or more layers of composite material covering thefiber 504. Alternatively, the fiber 504 may be wound around the covering2904 such that the fiber 504 is visible on an exterior of the bladeportion 16.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example where the fiber 504 is disposed along thelower edge 26 of the blade portion 16. The blade portion 16 includingthe fiber 504 may improve one or more structural characteristics, suchas stiffness, flex, weight, moment of inertial (MOI), torsion, shotspeed, feel, etc.

As another example, a lacrosse stick may include the fiber 504. FIG. 17includes an example illustration including a lacrosse stick 1704including the fiber 504. The lacrosse stick 1704 includes a handleportion 1708, which a player holds, and a head portion 1712, which isused for controlling, passing, and shooting a lacrosse ball. The handleportion 1708 can be elongated and longitudinally straight. The handleportion 1708 may include an offset where the handle portion 1708deviates from being longitudinally straight near the portion where thehandle portion 1708 connects to the head portion 1712. The fiber 504 maybe, for example, an inner layer of the handle portion 1708 (e.g.,similar to the example of FIG. 15 ) or between layers of compositematerial of the handle portion 1708 (e.g., similar to the example ofFIG. 12 ).

For example, FIGS. 23, 25, and 27 include cross-sectional views ofexample implementations of the handle portion 1708. The handle portion1708 may include, for example, 6 sides, such as shown in the examples of23 and 27. In various implementations, one or more of the sides may beconcave and/or one or more of the sides may be convex. Additionally oralternatively, corners where two sides meet may be rounded, square, or acombination of round and square. While example shapes are shown, thepresent application is also applicable to handle portions of othercross-sectional shapes. The fiber 504 may be disposed between thecomposite material 100 and the composite material 102, such as shown inthe examples of FIGS. 23 and 25 . Alternatively, the fiber 504 may be aninner-most layer, such as shown in the example of FIG. 27 or anouter-most layer, such as in the example of FIG. 28 . The examples ofFIGS. 27 and 28 are also applicable to the handle portion of a hockeystick.

As another example, a baseball bat may include the fiber 504. FIG. 18includes an example illustration including a baseball bat 1804 includingthe fiber 504. The baseball bat 1804 includes a handle portion 1808,which a player holds, and a head or barrel portion 1812, which is usedto bat a ball. The fiber 504 may be, for example, an inner layer of thehandle portion 1808 (e.g., similar to the example of FIG. 15 ) orbetween layers of composite material of the handle portion 1808 (e.g.,similar to the example of FIG. 12 ). Additionally or alternatively, thefiber 504 may be an inner layer of the barrel portion 1812 (e.g.,similar to the example of FIG. 15 ) or between layers of compositematerial of the barrel portion 1812 (e.g., similar to the example ofFIG. 12 ). In the example of a baseball bat, the fiber 504 may, forexample, detune ringing of the baseball bat, for example, to comply withone or more regulations of a baseball association. The fiber 504 may beused in the baseball bat 1804 to add mass. The fiber 504 being locatedat one or more specific areas may adjust performance characteristics ofthe baseball bat.

FIG. 19 includes an example method of manufacturing a piece of sportingequipment, such as a golf club shaft, a hockey stick shaft, a hockeystick blade, a lacrosse stick, a baseball bat, or another type ofsporting equipment. The method begins with 1904 where the compositematerial 100 is wrapped around one or more tubular core members (e.g.,the mandrel 104, the cores used to form a hockey stick shaft, hockeystick blade, baseball bat, lacrosse stick, etc.).

At 1908, the composite material 100 is pressed toward the coremember(s), such as using a platen press. The pressing may involverolling (e.g., in the example of a baseball bat or a golf club shaft).Heat may also be applied.

At 1910, the fiber 504 is wound (coiled) around the composite materialsuch that a top portion of a coil of the fiber 504 contacts a bottomportion of a next adjacent coil of the fiber 504 above the coil and abottom portion of the coil of the fiber 504 contacts the top portion ofthe next adjacent coil of the fiber 504 below the coil. The fiber 504may be wound around the composite material, for example, by rotating thetubular core member(s) axially and moving a bobbin (or spool) includingthe fiber 504 lengthwise (e.g., from tip end to butt end in the exampleof a golf club shaft).

At 1912, the composite material 102 is wrapped around the fiber 504, thecomposite material 100, and the core member(s). At 1916, the compositematerial 102 is pressed toward the core member(s), such as using aplaten press. The pressing may involve rolling (e.g., in the example ofa baseball bat or a golf club shaft). Heat may also be applied.

At 1920, the composite materials 100 and 102 may be cured. Optionally(e.g., in the example of the golf club shaft), trimming and paint may beapplied over the outer layer at 1924.

FIG. 20 includes an example method of manufacturing a piece of sportingequipment, such as a golf club shaft, a hockey stick shaft, a hockeystick blade, a lacrosse stick, a baseball bat, or another suitable typeof sporting equipment. The method begins with 2004 where the fiber 504is wound (coiled) around one or more tubular core members (e.g., themandrel 104, the cores used to form a hockey stick shaft, hockey stickblade, baseball bat, lacrosse stick, etc.). The fiber 504 may be woundaround the composite material, for example, by rotating the tubular coremember(s) axially and moving a bobbin (or spool) including the fiber 504lengthwise (e.g., from tip end to butt end). The fiber 504 is wound(coiled) such that a top portion of a coil of the fiber 504 contacts abottom portion of a next adjacent coil of the fiber 504 above the coiland a bottom portion of the coil of the fiber 504 contacts the topportion of the next adjacent coil of the fiber 504 below the coil.

At 2008, the composite material 100 is wrapped around the fiber 504 andthe tubular core member(s). At 2010, the composite material 100 ispressed toward the core member(s), such as using a platen press. Thepressing may involve rolling (e.g., in the example of a baseball bat ora golf club shaft).

At 2012, the composite material 102 may be wrapped around the compositematerial 100, the fiber 504, and the core member(s). At 2016, thecomposite material 102 is pressed toward the core member(s), such asusing a platen press. The pressing may involve rolling (e.g., in theexample of a baseball bat or a golf club shaft). Alternatively, 2012 and2016 may be omitted, and the wrapping of composite material may beperformed in one step using multiple layers of the composite material.

At 2020, the composite materials 100 and 102 may be cured. Optionally(e.g., in the example of the golf club shaft), trimming and paint isapplied over the outer layer at 2024.

The example of FIG. 5 illustrates the coils of the fiber 504 beingarranged approximately perpendicularly (90 degrees) to a longitudinalaxis of the mandrel 104 and the resulting golf shaft. Approximately maymean +/-1 degree or less as to allow for the helical winding of thefiber 504. The present application, however, is also applicable towinding of the fiber 504 in other directions relative to thelongitudinal axis. For example, FIG. 21 includes an example perspectiveview of the fiber 504 wound or arranged approximately parallel to thelongitudinal axis (0 degrees). FIG. 22 includes a perspective view of anexample where the fiber 504 is wound or arranged such that the coils arenot approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and notapproximately parallel to the longitudinal axis. In this example, thecoils may each form an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis.

In various implementations, the sports equipment may include one or morelayers of the fiber 504. For example, FIG. 31 includes a cross-sectionalview of an example portion of sports equipment (e.g., a golf shaft, ahockey stick handle, a hockey stick blade, a lacrosse stick handle, abaseball bat, etc.) including multiple layers of the fiber 504. Forexample, the sports equipment may include a first layer 3104 of thefiber 504, a second layer 3108 of the fiber 504 wound around the firstlayer 3104, a third layer 3112 of the fiber 504 wound around the secondlayer 3108, and a fourth layer 3116 of the fiber 504 wound around thethird layer 3112. The coils of one or more of the layers may be arrangedin different directions relative to the longitudinal axis. While theexample of four layers of the fiber 504 is provided in the example ofFIG. 31 , the present application is applicable to N layers of the fiber504 where N is an integer greater than zero.

Multiple layers of the fiber 504 may be disposed in an area of thesports equipment, for example, to create a knob on the sports equipment.For example, the hockey stick may include a knob at the end of thehandle portion 12 that is opposite to the blade connecting end 13. Thelacrosse stick 1704 may include a knob at the end of the handle portion1708 that is opposite to where the handle portion 1708 connects to thehead portion 1712. The baseball bat 1804 may include a knob 1816 formedat an end of the handle portion 1808, such as shown in the example ofFIG. 18 .

The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in noway intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. Thebroad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety offorms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples,the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, thespecification, and the following claims. It should be understood thatone or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (orconcurrently) without altering the principles of the present disclosure.Further, although each of the embodiments is described above as havingcertain features, any one or more of those features described withrespect to any embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and/orcombined with features of any of the other embodiments, even if thatcombination is not explicitly described. In other words, the describedembodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or moreembodiments with one another remain within the scope of this disclosure.

Spatial and functional relationships between elements are describedusing various terms, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled,""adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed."Unless explicitly described as being "direct," when a relationshipbetween first and second elements is described in the above disclosure,that relationship can be a direct relationship where no otherintervening elements are present between the first and second elements,but can also be an indirect relationship where one or more interveningelements are present (either spatially or functionally) between thefirst and second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A,B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using anon-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at leastone of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf club shaft, comprising: a butt end; a tipend, wherein the golf club shaft is tapered between the butt end and thetip end; coils of fiber wound helically relative to an axis of the golfclub shaft; and one or more layers of composite material wrapped aroundthe coils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils offiber.
 2. The golf club shaft of claim 1 further comprising a second oneor more layers of composite material, wherein the coils of fiber arewound helically around the second one or more layers of compositematerial, and the second one or more layers of composite material aredisposed radially inwardly of the coils of fiber.
 3. The golf club shaftof claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more layers of compositematerial include graphite, an epoxy, and a resin.
 4. The golf club shaftof claim 1 wherein a diameter of the fiber is less than 15 microns. 5.The golf club shaft of claim 1 wherein the golf club shaft includes atleast five thousand of the coils of fiber wound helically relative tothe axis of the golf club shaft.
 6. The golf club shaft of claim 1wherein each of the coils is disposed approximately perpendicular to theaxis.
 7. The golf club shaft of claim 1 wherein each of the coils isdisposed approximately parallel to the axis.
 8. The golf club shaft ofclaim 1 wherein each of the coils is disposed at an angle of between 1degree and 89 degrees relative to the axis.
 9. The golf club shaft ofclaim 1 wherein the fiber is coated with a resin.
 10. The golf clubshaft of claim 1 wherein the fiber has a circular cross-section.
 11. Thegolf club shaft of claim 1 wherein the fiber is selected from a groupconsisting of steel, titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten, and an alloyof one of steel, titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten.
 12. The golf clubshaft of claim 1 wherein adjacent ones of the coils contact each other.13. The golf club shaft of claim 1 wherein the golf club shaft is hollowinside of the coils of fiber.
 14. A tubular portion of one of a hockeystick, a lacrosse stick, and a baseball bat, the tubular portioncomprising: one or more layers of composite material; and coils of fiberwound helically relative to an axis of the tubular portion, wherein oneof: the one or more layers of composite material are wrapped around thecoils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils of fiber;and the coils of fiber are wrapped around the one or more layers ofcomposite material and disposed radially outwardly of the one or morelayers of composite material.
 15. The tubular portion of claim 14wherein the one or more layers of composite material are wrapped aroundthe coils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils offiber, and wherein the tubular portion further includes a second one ormore layers of composite material, wherein the coils of fiber are woundhelically around the second one or more layers of composite material,and the second one or more layers of composite material are disposedradially inwardly of the coils of fiber.
 16. The tubular portion ofclaim 14 wherein the coils of fiber are wrapped around the one or morelayers of composite material and disposed radially outwardly of the oneor more layers of composite material.
 17. The tubular portion of claim14 wherein at least one of the one or more layers of composite materialinclude graphite, an epoxy, and a resin.
 18. The tubular portion ofclaim 14 wherein the fiber is selected from a group consisting of steel,titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten, and an alloy of one of steel,titanium, aluminum, copper, tungsten.
 19. The tubular portion of claim14 wherein the fiber has a circular cross-section with a diameter ofless than 15 microns.
 20. A method of forming tubular sports equipment,the method comprising: winding coils of fiber helically around a tubularmember; and wrapping one or more layers of composite material around thecoils of fiber such that the one or more layers of composite materialare disposed radially outwardly of the coils of fiber.